Chopsticks and the Japanese People

"A Japanese life begins and ends with chopsticks."

Japanese babies first encounter chopsticks 100 days after birth during the Okuizome (the first chopsticks ceremony). At the end of life, the final water given to the deceased, known as Shimizu (last water), is often administered using chopsticks.

This is why it is said, "A Japanese life begins and ends with chopsticks."

The journey of life with chopsticks starts with the Okuizome ceremony, a ritual to wish children a life free from struggles for food. As one progresses through life’s milestones—Hatsuzekku (the first seasonal festival), Shichi-Go-San (a celebration for children aged 3, 5, and 7), and the coming-of-age ceremony—special chopsticks called Iwai-bashi (celebratory chopsticks) are used.

The celebratory chopsticks, often made of white willow wood, hold deep symbolic significance. Willow trees, known to sprout early in spring, have long been regarded as auspicious. Their white, pure, and sturdy wood has been revered as a sacred material that wards off evil spirits.

Chopsticks as the Staff of Life

Beyond the aforementioned Shimizu, chopsticks also play a vital role in the cremation ritual known as Kotsuage. During this ceremony, a pair of chopsticks—one made of bamboo and the other of wood—are used to pick up the remains, which are then passed and placed into the urn. This is why using mismatched chopsticks or passing items directly from chopstick to chopstick in daily life is avoided in Japan.

Other customs, such as Makura-meshi (offering a bowl of rice with chopsticks standing upright beside the deceased), feature chopsticks specifically associated with mourning, such as Tate-bashi (standing chopsticks) or Ippon-bashi (single chopsticks).

A Lifelong Companion

From birth to death, chopsticks accompany the Japanese through life. On auspicious occasions, chopsticks befitting the celebration are presented, while on ordinary days (ke days), wooden chopsticks are commonly used.

When reflecting on the deep relationship between chopsticks and the Japanese way of life, it becomes evident why chopsticks are sometimes referred to as the "staff of life.